COVID-19 crashes European theaters

The outbreak of the highly contagious coronavirus has forced the cinemas of European countries including Serbia, Poland and Croatia into bankruptcy.

According to latest media reports, movie ticket sales are cratering as theaters across central and eastern Europe close their doors or restrict capacity amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

As the film and entertainment industries are closing or shutting productions on hold, Polish cinema operators appealed for government help to avoid bankruptcies.     

Similarly, the Serbian government also declared state of emergency on March 15 and the move affected the theaters. A large number of theaters and exhibition halls canceled events and it is not clear when they can resume the activities.

The same is happening in Croatia; theaters halted production and broadcasting and officials are worried about the financial consequences of COVID-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus has significantly affected the European cinemas and is considered as a serious crisis for the global film industry.

The flu-like deadly coronavirus originated in China in late 2019 and later spread to more than 100 other countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus a global pandemic.

PR/MM